PC or T5

cdangel0

cdangel0

New member
Which is a better light a 1x65 PC or a 2x14 T-5?

I'm just looking to compliment my 2x96 PC maybe get a little extra PAR.
 
The T5s may give you a bit more coverage lengthwise, but NO T5s are not going to stack up to the lumen output of that 65w PC.
 
do you mean 2x54w T5HO? if so, you'll get a huge bosst in lighting compared to your 65w PC. just make sure that you buy the T5s with individual reflrectors that surrounds each bulb, like Icecaps or SLS Tek.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9088581#post9088581 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cdangel0
At what wattage does a T-5 switch from NO to HO?
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There is overlap between T5 and T5HO wattages. This link will provide you with the information you need to distinguish between T5 and T5HO:
http://www.lrc.rpi.edu/programs/nlpip/lightingAnswers/lat5/pc1a.asp.

T5HO lamps generate ~90 lumens per watt per the above link. Since T5 lamps are slightly more efficient (~100 lumens per watt), I would not shy away from them.

As for PC lamps, they generate ~60 lumens per watt. In lighting literature, they are often referred to as pin-based "High Wattage Compact Fluorescent Lamps" (HW-CLF): http://lightingresearch.org/programs/nlpip/lightingAnswers/HWCFL/HWCFL-efficacy.asp.

I would choose T5 fixtures with individual reflectors for each lamp to direct maximum light into your aquarium.
 
I have used several types of NO T5s and 65w PC bulbs and I can safely tell you that the PC will put out more light. You're probably looking at something like a coralife aqualight 2x14w T5 NO fixture or something?
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9093351#post9093351 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by pugbreath13
Dont buy anything with the name Odyssea on it.
Click to expand...
Is that based on experiance or just following the crowd? I have many Odyssea products including lighting and have no problems.
In fact, when it comes to lighting I have had more problems with Coralife bulbs and fixtures, PFO MH ballasts and Icecap ballasts.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9094469#post9094469 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by UCanDoIt
Junk!
Click to expand...
Maybe junk, but I have a 24wt fixture, 2x36 wt fixture and they are both going on 6 month old and they are both still working great. The 24wt fixture is 24/7 fuge and grows chaeto like mad.
 
Does anyone know where I can get a decent 24" HOT5 that isn't going to break the bank?

I'm trying to sell off a couple PC and a digi cam to afford new lights, but don't know how much I am going to be able to get for them.
 
are you looking for a 24inch fixture or a retrofit
i would try reefgeek they have lots of t5 options
 
Anybody got a link to the par readings that someone (I think it was Grimreefer) did for the T5ho bulbs? I'm trying to find out how much par a T5HO puts out with and without the refelctors and at different depths?
 
I switched from 220watts of PC over my 29 to 96 watts of T5HO bulbs. The tank is much brighter, and runs about 4 degrees cooler.
I will never go back to the PC style of bulb.
 
I'm looking for a full fixture as I (hopefully) will be selling my 24" PC to be able to afford the new light and will not have a housing for a retro.

BTW if anyone has one lying around I have a 36" 2x65 a 24" 1x65 and a kodak dx3600 to trade :rollface:
 
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